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[CALL TO ORDER]

[00:00:05]

>>> I NOW CALL THE MEETING OF THE ABILENE CITY COUNCIL TO ORDER AT 4:30 P.M. ON THIS BEAUTIFUL JUNE 25 AFTERNOON, 2020. AT THIS TIME, WE WILL RECESS

[EXECUTIVE SESSION]

INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION, PURSUANT TO THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT SECTION 551.071, CONSULTATION WITH OUR ATTORNEY; SECTION 551.072, DELIBERATION REAL PROPERTY; SECTION 551.073, DELIBERATION ABOUT GIFTS AND DONATIONS; SECTION 551.074, PERSONNEL MATTERS; SECTION 551.076, DELIBERATION ABOUT SECURITY DEVICES; AND 551.087, DELIBERATION ABOUT BUSINESS PROSPECTS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

>>> ALL RIGHT. IT IS 5:30 P.M. ON THIS BEAUTIFUL DAY ON THIS THURSDAY.

WE RECONVENE TO OPEN SESSION. NO VOKES WERE TAKE -- NO VOTES

[INVOCATION]

WERE TAKEN IN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION.

I'LL ASK COUNCILMEMBER MCALISTER TO DO THE INVOCATION AND THEN I'LL INTRODUCE SPECIAL GUESTS AFTER THE PRAYER. LET'S PRAY.

>> DEARLY FATHER WE COME BEFORE YOU THIS EVENING.

WE ARE SO THANKFUL TO LIVE IN A GREAT PLACE LIKE ABILENE, TEXAS. WE THANK YOU FOR THE SENSE OF COMMUNITY WE HAVE HERE. WE PRAY YOU WILL HELP US REACH OUT TO EACH OTHER IN OUR DIFFERENCES AND EMBRACE EACH OTHER TO KNOW THINGS ARE SO MUCH MORE IMPORTANT IN OUR LIVES. MAINLY BEING GOOD CHRISTIANS, GOOD NEIGHBORS AND GOOD FRIENDS.

WE THANK YOU FOR THOSE THAT WORK SO HARD, SO TIRELESSLY AND WORK SO HARD EVERY DAY TO PROTECT US AND KEEP US SAFE.

FIRST RESPONDERS, OUR MILITARY.

WE PRAY THIS EVENING AS WE DO WORK HERE THAT WE WILL BE MINDFUL AND BE RESPONSIBLE IN WHAT WE DO.

WE PRAY FOR HEALING IN OUR COUNTRY.

WE PRAY FOR HEALING IN OUR WORLD.

THAT YOU WILL ALWAYS WATCH OVER US AND HELP US TO KNOW YOU ARE ALWAYS WATCHING OVER US.

AS ALWAYS, WE PRAY FOR RAIN, GOD, THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE TO FILL OUR LAKES AND REFRESH OUR LAND.

>> AMEN. >> WE DO HAVE VERY SPECIAL

[PRESENTATIONS, RECOGNITIONS, PROCLAMATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS]

GUESTS. READ THEIR NAMES IN A BIT.

BUT WE HAVE THE SIXTH RANKED TEAM -- RENEE? THE SIXTH RANKED TEAM IN THE STATE.

AND THE 29TH RANKED TEAM IN THE NATION.

COMING IN WITH A 12-1-1 RECORD.

TRAVELING TO MIDLAND THIS SATURDAY WITH 28 TEAMS. AND THEY ARE GOING TO TRY TO BRING IT BACK TO WEST TEXAS.

COACH SEDALIA, THIS IS WHAT HE SAYS, FOLKS, THAT THIS IS THE VERY BEST TEAM, SOFTBALL TEAM TO COME OUT OF ABILENE.

THAT IS A PRETTY BIG STATEMENT, COACH.

PROUDLY, TAKE OFF HIS BASEBALL CAP, HE SAYS IT'S PRETTY ACCURATE. SO THEY WILL LEAD US IN THE PLEDGES TODAY. I WANT TO SAY THEIR NAMES.

JUST THE PARENTS. IF I DON'T, I'LL BE IN TROUBLE. BUT WE WANT TO SUPPORT THEM.

WE POINT TO SO MANY THINGS THAT OUR YOUTH MAY NOT BE DOING RIGHT. THIS IS NOT ONE OF THEM.

SO YOU REPRESENT US THIS WEEKEND.

WE WISH YOU THE VERY BEST AND GODSPEED.

SO, WE HAVE CHASSITY WITH US. RAISE YOUR HAM.

HER GRANDMOTHER TAMMY DAVIS IS WITH US.

TAMMY? THERE SHE IS.

ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT.

MARIAH. HER MOTHER AMANDA IS HERE.

BE PROUD, NOW! LET'S RAISE YOUR HAND UP.

AVERY. HER DAD ORLANDO IS HERE.

SEE ORLANDO IS PROUD BACK THERE.

I TELL YOU. MIKAYLA, HER UNCLE RENEE, THE COACH. ALL RIGHT.

CAMERON, HER MOM LESLIE GREGORY IS WITH US.

UP LESLIE. ALL RIGHT.

AUBREY. HER MOTHER JOANNA IS WITH US.

ALL RIGHT. KAMO, HER MOTHER LESLIE IS WITH US. IS THAT RIGHT?

>> YES, MA'AM -- SIR. [LAUGHTER]

>> WE HAVE GRAYSON WITH US. WE HAVE EVA.

AND RENEE IS CONNECTED -- RENEE IS HALF THE TEAM RELATED

TO YOU? >> A COUPLE OF THEM.

BAILEY, HERMITSY MOM MITSY WITH. CAMERON AND HER MOM ALDA IS

[00:05:05]

WITH US. DID I FORGET ANYONE? GET CENTERED FOR US, LADIES AND LEAD US IN THE PLEDGES.

[PLEDGE TO THE UNITED STATES FLAG AND THE TEXAS FLAG]

BE BOLD. REMEMBER, WE ARE WAITING FOR Y'ALL TO BRING IT BACK HOME ON SATURDAY.

THE AMERICAN FLAG. >> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

>> NOW THE TEXAS FLAG. HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG; I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE, TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND

INDIVISIBLE. >> USUALLY, WE HAVE GOODIES FOR YOU. WE DON'T HAVE IT TODAY.

BUT WE WILL GET IT TO YOU. GODSPEED THIS WEEKEND.

AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR MAKING US AWARE OF THESE ATHLETES, TOO. GO GET 'EM!

[APPLAUSE] >> WE NOW MOVE TO THE CONSENT

[CONSENT AGENDA]

AGENDA, CONSISTING OF ITEMS 3 THROUGH ITEM NUMBER 11.

THESE ITEMS WILL BE CONSIDERED WITH ONE POSITION.

THERE WILL BE NO SEPARATE MOTION, DISCUSSION, UNLESS A COUNCILMEMBER OR A CITIZEN REQUEST SEPARATE DISCUSSION.

DOES THE COUNCIL HAVE ANY AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT SEPARATELY? IS THERE A CITIZEN THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON ONE OF THE

INDIVIDUAL ITEMS SEPARATELY? >> MAYOR, I HAVE TWO.

DAVID SUART ON ITEM 4 AND SARIA FORD DAVIS ON ITEM 7.

>> ALL RIGHT. ANYONE ELSE IN THE AUDIENCE WANT TO SPEAK TO AN AGENDA ITEM SEPARATELY? I WILL TAKE A MOTIONS ON ITEMS 3 TO 11 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEM NUMBER 4 AND ITEM NUMBER 6.

>> SO MOVED. >> SEVEN.

>> MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HURT AND SECOND BY ALBUS.

>> I ITEM 7, SIR. 4 AND 7.

>> SO WE ARE LOOKING AT CONSENT AGENDA 3-11 EXCEPT FOR FOUR AND SEVEN. WE'RE READY TO VOTE.

>>

[4. Resolution: Receive a Report. Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Contract with CaIdwell County Chevrolet for the Purchase of Two (2) Half-Ton Pickup Trucks and One (I) Three-Quarter Ton Pickup Truck (Chief (‘anile Florcic)]

>> ITEM NUMBER 4. MR. SCHWARTZ?

>> DAVID SCHWARTZ. GOOD EVENING, COUNCIL.

I'M NOT OPPOSED TO IT. I KNOW IT'S A BID PROCESS.

I JUST HATE THAT WE HAVE TO SEND MONEY OF OUR TAXPAYERS TO CENTRAL TEXAS ONCE AGAIN TO THIS DEALERSHIP.

I KNOW THEY HAVE SOLD THIS 25 OR 30 TAHOES.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS DEALER ISSDEALERERERSHIP IS DOING TO GE GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS BUT I DON'T KNOW WHY OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIPS IN ABILENE OR EVEN BAIRD DON'T STEP UP AND TRY TO GET SOME OF THESE GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS.

I MEAN I'M NOT OPPOSED WE NEED REPLACEMENT VEHICLES FOR THE FIRE. BUT I JUST HATE WE HAVE TO SEND OUR MONEY DOWN THERE BECAUSE THEY UNDERBID ONE OF THE LOCAL DEALERSHIPS OR THE LOCAL DEALERSHIPS THAT ARE IN THESE MENTIONED CITIES DO NOT EVEN CARE ABOUT TRYING TO BID ON FLEET SALES. I KNOW LIKE THEY SAY, IF IT'S WITHIN 10% THEY WILL TAKE A LOCAL BID.

PREVIOUSLY, THEY BOUGHT THE COMMAND PICKUP FROM LAWRENCE HALL HERE IN ABILENE. AND WHEN I SAW THAT, I DID NOT HAVE ANY TIME TO RESEARCH IT. BUT AGAIN, I KNOW IT'S ALL A BID PROCESS. IT'S THE GOVERNMENT.

IT'S LIKE THEY ALWAYS SAID ABOUT THE ASTRONAUTS.

WE ARE SITTING ON TOP OF A ROCKET THAT WAS BUILT BY THE LOWEST BIDDER ON A GOVERNMENT CONTRACT.

SAME THING GOES HERE. I APPEAL TO THE DEALERSHIPS LOCALLY. IF YOU WANT TO TRY TO GET THESE FLEET SALES, TRY TO MATCH THIS PEOPLE DOWN HERE IN CENTRAL TEXAS. I THINK THEY ARE LOCATED EITHER IN BELLTON OR TEMPLE. I KNOW WE NEED REPLACEMENT VEHICLES FOR THE FIRE AND POLICE AND EVEN THE STREETS AND PARKS ELSEWHERE. I JUST HOPE WE CAN ENTICE THE DEALERSHIPS TO MAKE WHERE WE CAN BUY LOCALLY MORE OFTEN.

[00:10:04]

JUST LIKE PREVIOUSLY THE LAST TWO FIRE VEHICLES WERE BOUGHT IN HAKELL. THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME

PEOPLE ON THIS. >> OPEN HEARING.

ANYBODY TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THE ITEM IN THE AUDIENCE? I WILL CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING.

>> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> I WOULD SAY I THINK, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE LOCAL AS WELL.

BUT ALSO THE LOWEST BID. WE ARE SAVING THE TAXPAYERS DOLLARS AS WELL BECAUSE WE ARE GETTING IT FOR THE LEAST

EXPENSIVE COST. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

>> MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER PRICE.

>> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER RENTZ. DISCUSSION?

READY TO VOTE. >> MAYOR PRO TEM HURT SENATOR

>> YES. >> DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM ALBUS?

>> YES. >> COUNCILMEMBER PRICE?

>> YES. >> COUNCILMEMBER RENTZ?

>> YES. >> COUNCILMEMBER MCALISTER?

>> YES. >> MAYOR WILLIAMS?

[7. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing and Take Action to approve CityLink’s new Public Transportation Aency Safety Plan (Do,, Green)]

>> YES. >> ITEM NUMBER 7.

I'LL INVITE MISS PORE TO THE PODIUM TO ASK HER QUESTION.

>> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE. MY NAME IS SHARIAH FORD DAVIS.

I WANTED TO DISCUSS RESOLUTION 7.

I KNOW WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH CITYLINK TO HELP TRANSPORTATION MODELS IN THE CITY.

WHAT I'M ASKING FOR IS BUS SHELTERS.

WE FIND PEOPLE THAT ARE RIDING ON CITYLINK OR THE BUS STOPS BUT THERE ARE NO SHELTERS THERE SO IF IT'S RAINING OR IF THERE IS A STORM, THERE IS NOWHERE FOR THEM TO SIT.

EVEN PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, THEY HAVE TO STAND INSTEAD OF HAVING PROPER BUS STOPS THAT HAVE THE BUS SHELTERS.

I JUST WANTED TO ADD THAT TO YOUR AGENDA TO CONSIDER LIKE PEOPLE THAT HAVE DISABILITIES. SOME OF THEM JUST, THEY JUST STAND. THEY DON'T REALIZE THEY CAN UTILIZE CITYLINK IN A MORE EFFECTIVE WAY.

I WANTED TO BRING THAT TO YOUR ATTENTION.

SEE IF YOU CAN CONSIDER ADDING THAT AS PART OF YOUR AGENDA.

>> THANK YOU. MR. GREEN, DO YOU KNOW ABOUT WHAT PERCENTILE OF THE BUS STOPS HAVE A SHELTER?

>> I DON'T. BOBBY, DO YOU?

>> ABOUT 10%. >> ROUGHLY ABOUT 10% OF THE STOPS HAVE SHELTERS. WE HAVE ISSUES AND WE RUN INTO RIGHT OF WAY WITH THE HEAVILY USED BUS STOPS.

BUT ALSO WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, A.D.A., BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO HAVE ACCESS TO THAT SHELTER.

WE HAVE MANY BUS STOPS -- SO THE A.D.A. REGULATIONS DON'T NECESSARILY APPLY TO BUS STOPS.

SO WE CAN PLACE A BUS STOP ANYWHERE WE FEEL THERE IS A DEMAND FOR IT. BUT THE SHELTER HAS A DIFFERENT REGULATIONS THAT WE HAVE TO APPLY FOR.

OR OBSERVE WHICH IS THE ACCESSIBILITIES OF THAT.

SO WE HAVE TO HAVE A SIDEWALK THAT LEADS TO IT.

WE HAVE TO HAVE RAMPS THAT GET TO IT.

SO IT MAKES IT MORE DIFFICULT. CITYLINK RECEIVED A GENEROUS CARES ACT GRANT. I HAVE ASKED CITYLINK TO PUT ASIDE SOME OF THE FUNDING TO GO TO ADDITIONAL SHELTERS TO BE ABLE TO PAY FOR THE CONCRETE PAD AND THAT FOR SOME OF THE AREAS. SO IN THE NEXT YEAR WE WILL SEE AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF SHELTERS SOMEWHAT HERE IN

TOWN. >> DON; MR. HANNA, DO WE ANTICIPATE THAT BEING A CONVERSATION IN A FEW WEEKS IN

THE BUDGET WORKSHOP? >> IT CAN BE IF COUNCIL WANTS IT TO BE. IT ALL BOILS DOWN TO WHAT DON HAS SAID. THERE IS CARES ACT MONEY AVAILABILITY THAT HAS BEEN EARMARKED FOR CITYLINK.

SOME OF IT IS USED TO OFFSET THE PROPOSED BUDGET, PROPOSED OFFSET SUBSIDY OF CITYLINK WHICH IS FAIRLY SUBSTANTIAL.

AS A COST OF THE MEASURE TO CONTINUE TO DO OTHER ESSENTIAL MUNICIPAL SERVICES AS WELL. SOME OF THAT FUND, SOME OF THE FUNDS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED BY CITYLINK FOR PROGRAM ENHANCEMENTS; SUCH AS, BUS STOP, CONCRETE PADS AND CONNECTIVE TO SIDEWALKS. OTHER THINGS HAVE BEEN DONE IN REGARD TO MAKE SURE WE ATTRACT AND RETAIN THE QUALIFIED WORKFORCE WE CAN FOR CITYLINK. THERE IS A VARIETY OF THINGS THAT CITYLINK AND DON HAS WORKED ON TO PUT TO FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION AS PART OF THE BUDGET PROCESS.

>> THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING. ANYBODY ELSE WANT TO SPEAK TO THE ITEM? I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

[00:15:01]

DAVID, SORRY. MR. SCHWARTZ?

>> SORRY. MR. GREEN WAS IN THE WAY.

DAVID SCHWARTZ. I'M DEFINITELY LIKE YOU SAID IF YOU OBSERVE, YOU KNOW, EVEN IF IT IS NOT RAINING, SLEETING OR SNOWING, THE SUN BEATING DOWN ON YOU, I COULD SEE WHERE IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE? I REMEMBER AS A KID MANY LONG TIME AGO NOW BETWEEN BUTTERNUT AND GRAPE ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE ROAD, THERE WAS A SHELTER LIKE SHE MENTIONED.

SOMETHING LIKE THAT. IT SAID ON THE SIGN OR THE SIDE OF IT OR WHATEVER IT SAID, "A RIDE TO DAIS." I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS RUN BY THE CITY BUS BUS STATION BACK THEN. THE CITY BUS STATION WAS ACROSS FROM THE LIBRARY ON NORTH SECOND THERE.

WAY BACK THEN. MAYBE IT WAS SOMEWHERE ELSE BEFORE THAT. BUT I REMEMBER THAT LITTLE SHELTER THERE. I ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT WAS UNIQUE. THAT IT WAS ENCLOSED SHELTER.

BUT YOU DON'T HARDLY SEE THAT ANYMORE.

JUST LIKE, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE THIS WHEN YOU PUT UP NEW BUILDINGS UP AND STUFF YOU HAVE TO PUT UP SIDEWALKS AND SUCH LIKE. I GOT OUT THERE, THAT WOULD BE ON OVERLAND TRAIL. IN FRONT OF THE NEW THEATER, YOU KNOW, SEVERAL YEARS AGO. A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO I MENTIONED IT'S THE SIDEWALK TO NOWHERE.

IF THERE WAS A BUS BENCH OUT THERE, YOU HAD A BUS ROUTE.

I COULD SEE WHY YOU COULD JUSTIFY THEM PUTTING IN A SIDEWALK OTHER THAN IT IS REQUIRED WITH THE SITE PLAN.

BUT THAT IS A GREAT DEAL. I KNOW THERE IS SOME LOCATIONS THAT WOULD BE BENEFIT WITH SOME OF THE COVERS.

I'M SURE SOME OUT BY THE MALL MAYBE IF IT DOESN'T HAVE ONE OR MAYBE BY SOME OF THE BIG DISCOUNT RETAILERS OR SOMETHING. SO I'M IN FOR USING SOME OF THE CARES ACT MONEY THAT CAN BE DISTRIBUTED FOR THAT PURPOSE. IT MAY BE IF WE EVER TURN THIS ECONOMY AROUND AND WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE BUS SHELTERS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COUNCIL,

THIS AFTERNOON. >> SO PUBLIC HEARING.

ANYBODY WANT TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

>> MY NAME IS TIM EONDALE AND I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THIS. I HAD ANOTHER THOUGHT ABOUT THIS. IF THERE IS NOT AVAILABLE FUNDING TO DO THIS, IS THERE A WAY THAT PERHAPS THE CITY OR SOMEONE WITHIN THE CITY COULD RAISE SOME FUNDING FROM SOME OF THE PRIVATE BUSINESSES IN ABILENE.

THEN IT COULD BE, THEY COULD ADVERTISE ON THOSE THINGS, THE BUSINESSES. I WOULD HELP PEOPLE THAT NEED THE SERVICES AND IT WOULD HELP THE BUSINESSES AND IT WOULD BE

A GOOD THING FOR ABILENE. >> ONE THING WE CAN DO IS PUT A NOTATION AND HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT THIS IN A FEW WEEKS DURING THE BUDGET. I BELIEVE THAT IS THE 14TH OF JULY. IS THAT CORRECT, MS. ATKINSON?

>> YES. OH, NO.

21ST. 21ST.

>> 21ST. >> YES, SIR.

>> I THINK IT WOULD HELP SOME OF THE MOST VULNERABLE CITIZENS AND BE A GREAT THING FOR ABILENE TO KNOW BECAUSE NOBODY WANTS TO BE IN THE HEAT.

OR THE RAIN. SO IT'S JUST MY THOUGHT.

THANK YOU. >> YOU LIVE IN THE WRONG PLACE IF YOU DON'T WANT TO BE IN THE HEAT.

>> WE'RE STILL IN A PUBLIC HEARING.

ANYBODY ELSE WANT TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM?

>> I WANT TO SAY, TOO, IT WOULD IMPROVE THE WAY OUR COMMUNITIES LOOK. THE PEOPLE AT THE BUS STOPS, MAKE THEM NICE AND BIG SO THEY ENOUGH ROOM TO SIT FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. IT WOULD ACTUALLY BEAUTIFY OUR CITY AS WELL. I KNOW THAT WE TALK ABOUT THE STREETS HAVING SIDEWALKS, THOSE ARE ISSUES, TOO, THAT NEED TO BE WORKED OUT, TO THE CITYLINK HOW WE INTERTWINE

THEM TOGETHER. >> PUBLIC HEARING, ANYBODY ELSE WANT TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

COUNCIL HAVE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS?

>> DON, AS WE LOOK AT POSSIBLY PUTTING UP SOME SHELTERS, IS THAT SOMETHING THAT HAS TO COME TO US TO APPROVE FUNDING? TO THE CARES ACT THAT MONEY GOES TO THE CITYLINK AND THEY DO THAT INTERNALLY? HOW DOES THAT WORK?

>> SO, BECAUSE OF THE RESOLUTION THAT COUNCIL PASSED WHERE COVID-RELATED GRANTS DID NOT HAVE TO COME TO COUNCIL.

COUNCIL WASN'T MEETING AT THAT TIME, YOU HAVE NOT HAD A CHANCE TO SEE THAT. OF THE HOWEVER, IF WE HAD AN EXPANEXPENDITURE FOR SHELTERS TT WOULD EXCEED $50,000, OF COURSE THAT WOULD COME TO YOU GUYS.

>> SO DO YOU KNOW -- THIS IS EARLY IN THE PROCESS.

IS THERE AN ANTICIPATION THAT YOU WOULD INVOLVE ANY KIND OF COMMUNITY GROUP DECIDING WHAT LOCATIONS WOULD BE BEST SERVED BY THAT OR BASEDDED ON THE METRICS ON THE MOST NUMBER OF PICKUPS AT A CERTAIN LOCATION? AND LONGEVITY?

[00:20:01]

I KNOW ONE OF THE THINGS WITH THE CITYLINK IS WE ARE RESPONSIVE TO NEEDS. WE MAY SHIFT A ROUTE BECAUSE THIS AREA IS NO LONGER USED. I'D RATHER SEE US PUT A BUS STOP, COVERED BUS STOP AT A PLACE WITH A LONG-TERM PROVEN USE AND NOT SOMETHING THAT WILL BE ABANDONED BECAUSE NO

ONE IS USING IT. >> THOSE ARE VERY GOOD POINTS, COUNCILMAN PRICE. WE WOULD CONSIDER ALL OF THOSE. WE MEET WITH THE CITY'S DISABILITIES COMMITTEE. CITYLINK HAS A SEAT ON THAT COMMITTEE AS A CITY AGENCY. WE WOULD INVOLVE THEM.

WE WOULD INVOLVE A GROUP THAT WE USE FOR BUS ROUTES WHEN WE CHANGE THOSE UP THREE YEARS AGO.

GO BACK TO THEM. WE HAVE THE DATA ON WHAT OUR MOST POPULAR BUS STOPS ARE. THAT IS WHERE WE WOULD WANT TO START. GO WHERE THEY ARE USED THE MOST. AND WHERE WE HAVE A LIKELIHOOD OF BEING ABLE TO -- WHERE WE HAVE THE ROOM TO PLACE A BUS SHELTER. WE KNOW THOSE DIMENSIONS ON AN AVERAGE. WE CAN TAKE THE LIKELY CANDIDATES AND VET IT WITH THE TWO GROUPS.

>> DON, WHAT IS A BALLPARK ON WHAT THE INVESTMENT LOOKS

LIKE? >> I THINK WE ARE TALKING $5,000 TO $7,000. THAT INCLUDES THE SHELTER ITSELF AND THE CONCRETE WORK. [INAUDIBLE]

>> WE INSTALLED ONE ON TEXAS AVENUE BACK IN SEPTEMBER OR SO. AUGUST/SEPTEMBER.

>> BY THE NOR PROJECT? >> NO, SIR.

THIS WAS NEAR THE DOLLAR GENERAL.

SOUTH 7TH AND ALAMEDA. WE PUT ONE ON TEXAS AVENUE AS WELL, DIDN'T WE? [INAUDIBLE] WE HAVE A RECENT COST TO LOOK TO.

>> THAT WILL BE A BUDGET CONVERSATION.

THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE COUNCIL? I'LL ACCEPT A MOTION AND A

SECOND. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN MCALISTER AND SECOND BY COUNCILMAN PRICE.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? READY TO VOTE.

>> MAYOR PRO TEM HURT? >> YES.

>> DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM ALBUS? >> YES.

>> COUNCILMEMBER PRICE? >> YES.

>> COUNCILMEMBER RENTZ? >> YES.

>> COUNCILMEMBER MCALISTER? >> YES.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS? >> YES.

[12. Resolnlion: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Modiing and Estending the Declaration of Local Disaster Issued June 1.2020 (Robert lion,;,,)]

>> MOTION CARRIES. >> MOVE TO ITEM NUMBER 12.

MR. HANNA HAS STEPPED OUT OF THE ROOM TO GET, TAKE A PHONE CALL. EWANT TO INVITE MICHAEL RICE TO -- I WANT TO INVITE MICHAEL RICE TO SIT IN HIS STEAD AND ASK STANLEY TO ASSIST AS WE LOOK AT ITEM NUMBER 12.

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. THIS IS AGAIN OUR CURRENT DECLARATION ENDS TODAY. SO THIS IS AGAIN ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COUNCIL TO LOOK AT THE DECLARATION AND EXTABLED IT FOR ANOTHER PERIOD OF TIME -- EXTEND IT FOR ANOTHER PERIOD OF TIME. THE PROPOSED LANGUAGE IS ADOPT THE GOVERNOR CURRENT ORDER GA-26 AND FOLLOW REGULATIONS SET IT OUT BY THE GOVERNOR WHICH IS WHAT THE COUNCIL HAS DONE FOR THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS.

>> DOES ANYONE WANT TO TALK ABOUT WHY WE NEED TO OR WHY WE ARE IMPROVING THE DECLARATIONS?

>> ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE APPROVE THE DECLARATIONS IS FOR THE POTENTIAL FUNDING BECAUSE OF AN IMPACT THAT THE CITY COULD HAVE FROM COVID, IF THERE ARE ANY FUNDS AVAILABLE.

WE HAVE TO HAVE A LOCAL DECLARATION IN PLACE IN ADDITION TO THE DECLARATION THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS SET FOR THE ENTIRE STATE. THAT IS ONE REASON.

EARLY ON WE HAD DIFFERENT REGULATIONS BUT WE HAVE ADOPTED WHAT THE GOVERNOR IS DOING AT THIS POINT.

THAT IS THE REASON FOR IT. >> MICHAEL, DO YOU HAVE ANY

INPUT ON THAT? >> NO, SIR.

I THINK STANLEY COVERED IT WELL.

REQUIREMENT FOR TO US BE REIMBURSED.

>> IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION FROM THE COUNCIL?

>> YOU KNOW, WE SAID, YOU KNOW, IF WE GET REIMBURSED.

DO WE HAVE ANY IDEA IF WE ARE GOING TO GET REIMBURSED? WE DO KNOW WE WILL GET REIMBURSED OR MIGHT GET

REIMBURSED? >> I DO NOT KNOW THE ANSWER TO

THAT QUESTION. >> WE WILL HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS ITEM. I'M GOING TO JUST READ SOME

QUICK NOTES. >> WE ARE STILL IN DISCUSSION.

>> WE'RE STILL IN DISCUSSION. I'M GOING TO READ SOME TALKING POINTS. AND THEN IN A BIT ALLOW THE COUNCIL TO INTERJECT. IF YOU CHOOSE TO, YOU CAN PARTICIPATE IN PUBLIC COMMENT. GOVERNOR ABBOTT ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THERE WILL BE A PAUSE AND NO FURTHER PHASES TO REOPEN TEXAS AT THIS TIME. DUE TO THE RECENT INCREASE IN THE POSITIVE COVID-19 CASES. AS WELL AS THOSE HOSPITALIZED.

THE GOVERNOR SAID THIS IN THE PRESS RELEASE -- "AS WE EXPERIENCE AN INCREASE IN BOTH COVID-19 CASES AND

[00:25:04]

HOSPITALIZATIONS, WE ARE FOCUSED ON STRATEGIES THAT WILL SLOW THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS, THAT WILL ALSO ALLOW TEXAS TO CONTINUE EARNING A PAYCHECK TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES. THE LAST THING WE WANT TO DO AS A STATE IS TO GO BACKWARDS AND CLOSE DOWN BUSINESSES.

THE TEMPORARY PAUSE WILL HELP OUR STATE CORRAL THE SPREAD UNTIL WE CAN SAFELY ENTER THE NEXT PHASE OF OPENING OUR STATE FOR BUSINESS. I ASK ALL TEXANS TO DO THEIR PART TO SLOW THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 BY WEARING A MASK, WASHING THEIR HANDS REGULARLY AND SOCIALLY DISTANCING THEMSELVES FROM OTHERS. THE MORE THAT WE ALL FOLLOW THESE GUIDELINES, THE SAFER OUR STATE WILL BE AND THE MORE WE CAN OPEN UP TEXAS FOR BUSINESS.

BUSINESS MAY CONTINUE TO REMAIN OPEN ON THE CURRENT REQUIREMENTS AS OUTLINED EXECUTIVE ORDER GA26, PREVIOUSLY ISSUED BY THE GOVERNOR ON JUNE 3.

IN ADDITION TODAY, THE GOVERNOR ISSUED EXECUTIVE ORDER GA27 WHICH EXPENDS ELECTIVE SURGERIES AND HOSPITALS IN BEXAR, DALLAS, HARRIS, TRAVIS COUNTIES.

GA26 DOES NOT APPLY TO ABILENE AND TAYLOR COUNTY.

BRIEFLY, I WANT TO PUT ON THE SCREEN A WORKSHEET THAT I LOOK AT DAILY. THAT WE LOOK AT THOSE COMMUNITIES IN WEST TEXAS. LUBBOCK, AMARILLO, WICHITA FALLS, ODESSA, ST. ANGLO, MIDLAND AND US.

YOU LOOK AT TODAY'S DATE AND THEN YOU GO BACK ABOUT THREE WEEKS. YOU CAN SEE THAT THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASE. YOU SHOULD KNOW GOVERNOR UP TO THIS WEEK HAS NOT ALLOWED COUNTIES OR MUNICIPALITIES TO HAVE REQUIREMENTS THAT GO BEYOND HIS ORDERS.

THAT HAS CHANGED THIS WEEK. WHAT I HAVE SAID TO THE CITY MANAGER, YOU KNOW, I THINK IF THE PRESIDENT AND THE GOVERNOR AS WELL AS THE COUNTY JUDGE AND THIS BODY WOULD HAVE KNOWN THE REALITY BACK IN MARCH WE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN SO RESTRICTIVE IN REGARDS TO REGS WE PUT IN PLACE.

ALTHOUGH WE HAVE AUTHORITY NOW TO DO SOME THINGS WE WANT TO EVALUATE AND PAUSE.

THE HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS AND DISCUSS THAT.

WE'LL MONITOR OUR NUMBERS. SO IF WE CONTINUE TO SEE SPIKES WE WILL MAKE ADJUSTMENTS.

ON THE SCREEN BEFORE YOU, AS YOU CAN SEE, ALTHOUGH WE HAVE INDEED HAD A SPIKE, WE ARE DOING BETTER THAN MOST.

I THINK WE ARE DOING THAT BECAUSE A LARGE NUMBER OF ABILENEANS HAVE BEEN RESPONSIVE.

WE KNOW WE HAVE TO OPEN BACK UP THE STATE.

15,000 OF OUR NEIGHBORS ARE UNEMPLOYED.

WITHIN THE 19 COUNTY REGION THAT THE WORKFORCE SOLUTION OVERSEES. RIGHT NOW, THERE IS A VIRTUAL WORKSHOP GOING ON, A VIRTUAL JOB FAIR GOING ON NOW TO TRY TO PUT OUR NEIGHBORS BACK TO WORK.

OF THE 15,000 THAT ARE UNEMPLOYED, 10,000 ARE ABILENEANS. SO ABILENE WITH COVID-19 HAD EXPERIENCED A 600% INCREASE IN G.D.P. OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS SO SOME OF OUR SMALL BUSINESSES ARE BARELY STAYING OPEN. ALL THAT TO SAY THERE IS A LOT TO CONSIDER. THIS BODY WILL CONTINUE TO PUT THE SAFETY AND THE CONCERNS OF YOU AND OUR NEIGHBORS AT THE FOREFRONT. BUT WE WILL DO SO IN A VERY MEASURED, CALCULATED WAY SO WE CAN DO WHAT IS RIGHT.

SO, I WILL ALLOW AND GIVE WAY TY COMMENTS THEY WANT TO.

THEN WE WILL GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO SPEAK IF YOU CHOOSE TO.

COUNCIL, ANYTHING YOU WANT TO SAY BEFORE THE COUNCIL?

>> I'M PROUD OF THE COMMUNITY FOR THE RESPONSE THEY HAVE DONE SO FAR. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE OUGHT TO HAVE A PERSONAL CHOICE TO CHOOSE TO SAFEGUARD THEIR OWN HEALTH IN THE MANNER THEY SEE FIT.

I THINK THAT IS PERSONAL PREFERENCE OF MINE.

HOWEVER, I WORK FOR THE COUNCIL AND I'M PREPARED TO IMPLEMENT WHATEVER Y'ALL DECIDE TO DO.

>> I WANT TO SAY JUST LIKE YOU, THE COUNCIL HAS VARIOUS VIEWS IN REGARDS TO MASKS. I THINK AND ONE THING THAT I HAVE SAID IS I WANT TO DO A BETTER JOB OF WEARING A MASK IN PUBLIC. SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES MAY NOT

[00:30:02]

WEAR A MASK. WHAT I SAID, I'M NOT GOING TO BE CRITICAL OF YOU. DON'T BE CRITICAL OF ME.

I THINK WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO IS WHAT IS BEST FOR YOU.

RETAIL ESTABLISHMENTS IF YOU DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE, DON'T SHOP THERE. IF YOU WANT TO SHELTER-IN-PLACE, THEN SHELTER-IN-PLACE.

I'LL LET THE COUNCIL INTERJECT ANYTHING.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO. IF YOU CHOOSE NOT TO.

>> I THINK WE ALL KNOW WHAT WE HAVE TO DO TO BE SAFE TO BE COMFORTABLE. SOCIALIZE WITH THE FRIENDS IN THE FRONT AND BACKYARD AND DON'T LEAVE YOUR PROPERTY, DO THAT. BY ALL MEANS AVOID THE HIGH DENSITY POPULATIONS. BUT WE KNOW WHAT WORKS.

IT'S YOU ARE WILLING TO TAKE THE RISK, THE OUTCOME MAY NOT BE WHAT YOU WANT. BE CAREFUL.

>> I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT NO ONE -- WEARING A MASK DOESN'T MAKE YOU BETTER THAN SOMEONE WHO IS NOT WEARING A MASK AND NOT WEARING A MASK DOES NOT MAKE YOU BETTER THAN SOMEONE WHO DOES WEAR A MASK. IT'S YOUR CHOICE.

I THINK A LOT OF THE SPREAD WE SEE IS PEOPLE HAVE SYMPTOMS AND THEY STILL GO OUT ANYWAY. I WOULD ASK IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS, STAY HOME. IF YOU HAVE A FEVER, IF YOU HAVE A COUGH. I COUGH BECAUSE I MOW THE GRASS. I KNOW THAT IS WHAT THAT IS FROM. IF YOU WAKE UP AND YOU HAVE UNEXPLAINED COUGH OR IF YOU HAVE A FEVER, PLEASE JUST STAY HOME. THAT IS PROBABLY THE EASIEST WAY TO GET THIS IN CHECK. NOT THINKING THAT YOU ARE SUPERMAN AND YOU CAN HANDLE IT.

COMMON SENSE THERE, PLEASE. >> ANY MORE COMMENTS FOR THE

PUBLIC HEARING? >> YES, SIR.

>> I THOUGHT YOU WOULD SPEAK, COUNCILMAN HURT.

>> WE SHOULD PROTECT THE VULNERABLE.

AND THE REASON WE SHUT DOWN IN THE FIRST PLACE TO NOT OVERWHELM HOSPITAL CAPACITY. WE CONTINUOUSLY LOOK AT THE NUMBERS AND OUR NUMBERS ARE GOING UP.

IT'S 71 ACTIVE TODAY. IF YOU LOOK AT THE COUNTY, PERCENTAGE WISE, .00047. THAT IS IN THE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THAT ARE INFECTED WITH THIS.

THAT IS A VERY, VERY, VERY SMALL PORTION.

THE NUMBERS ARE GOING UP BUT THEY ARE NOT OUTRAGEOUS LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK. LOOK AT THE PERCENTAGE AND LOOK AT HOW MANY PEOPLE WE HAVE IN THE COUNTY.

REALLY, UNLESS WE SKIP BIOLOGY CLASS WE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THE SPIKE WOULD HAPPEN. WHEN WE TAKE AND QUARANTINE OUR HEALTHY PEOPLE AND THEY STAY HOME AND THEY HAVE LOST ALL OF THEIR NATURAL IMMUNITIES AND NOW THEY ARE GETTING BACK OUT, WE KNEW THE SPIKE WOULD HAPPEN.

VIRAL DOCTORS HAD PREDICTED THIS.

MANY MONTHS AGO. IF WE SHUT DOWN AND DO IT THIS WAY WE WOULD HAVE A SPIKE. WE WILL HAVE ANOTHER SPIKE IN SEPTEMBER WHEN SCHOOL STARTS. WE'LL HAVE ANOTHER SPIKE IN OCTOBER WHEN FLU SEASON STARTS.

WE WILL CONTINUOUSLY HAVE A ROLLER COASTER SPIKE BECAUSE WE HAVE NEVER BUILT THE HERD IMMUNITY.

I PERSONALLY DON'T BELIEVE THE SHUTDOWN HAS WORKED THE WAY THE GOVERNMENT SAD IT DID AND THE WAY IT WAS PRESENTED.

HOSPITAL NUMBERS. WE HAVE FOUR IN OUR LOCAL HOSPITAL RIGHT NOW. WE ARE AT .3% CAPACITY.

WE HAVE NOWHERE CLOSE TO REACHING CAPACITY.

THE NUMBERS ARE JUST NOT THERE.

I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT MASKS. I HAVE NO DISRESPECT FOR SOMEONE WHO CHOOSES TO WEAR A MASK.

IT IS YOUR RIGHT TO GET TO WEAR A MASK.

DEAR FRIEND OF MINE THAT OWNS A RESTAURANT HERE WHO IS TRYING TO STAY IN BUSINESS, HE BOUGHT A BOX OF THE MASKS SUGGESTED BY ONE OF HIS RETAILERS.

THE FIRST THING WHEN HE GOT THE BOX WAS HE NOTICED THAT THEY ARE MADE IN CHINA. GO FIGURE.

IF YOU READ THE SMALL PRINT, IT SAYS IT WILL NOT STOP A VIRUS. AND MOST OF THE NEWER BOXES THAT YOU GET SAYS, "WILL NOT STOP COVID-19." IT SAYS IT RIGHT ON THE BOX OF MASKS.

THERE WAS A TIME IN OUR HISTORY AND THE LATE '30S AND THE 1940S, I'M SORRY TO RAMBLE, THAT PEOPLE WERE TOLD WHAT TO WEAR, AND THEY WERE TOLD WHERE THEY HAD TO WORK, AND THEY WERE TOLD WHERE THEY HAD TO LIVE.

THEY WERE TOLD WHAT LINE TO GET INTO.

I'M TELLING YOU, IT DID NOT WORK OUT WELL FOR THEM.

WE ARE BEING PROGRAMMED AND WE ARE LOSING OUR RIGHTS.

>> ANYBODY ELSE WANT TO SPEAK FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING? BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN ASKED, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ACTIVITIES PLANNED FOR NEXT WEEKEND.

THAT COUNCIL HAS NOT HAD ANY CONVERSATIONS ABOUT NOT ALLOWING THOSE EVENTS TO TAKE PLACE.

AGAIN, WE ASK YOU TO MAKE THE BEST JUDGMENT FOR YOU, YOUR

[00:35:02]

FAMILY AND YOUR LOVED ONES. COUNCIL, BEFORE THE PUBLIC

HEARING? >> A COUPLE OF OUR LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS. ONE OF THEM IS TIM SMITH.

HE HAS INVESTED TONS OF MONEY IN THE SODA DISTRICT AND THIS AREA TO TRY TO MAKE ABILENE A LOT BETTER PLACE TO LIVE.

HE IS BEGGING US TO HELP KEEP THE BUSINES OPEN.

THE BTHE BUSINESSES NEED TO GO K TO WORK.

THERE ARE BUSINESSES THAT WILL NOT OPEN BACK UP AND WE DON'T

NEED TO LOSE MORE BUSINESSES. >> OKAY.

AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING.

IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? IF SO, COME FORWARD AND GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. LITTTHERE WILL BE A THREE-MINUTE

LIMIT. >> THANK YOU, COUNCIL.

DAVID SWART AGAIN. THIS IS LIKE THE MAYOR MENTIONED ABOUT OUR LOCAL ABILENEANS ARE OUT OF WORK STILL. MY FRIEND, WE HAD A CONVERSATION YESTERDAY. HE IS SUPPOSED TO GO BACK TO WORK MAYBE NEXT WEDNESDAY. BUT NOW WITH THIS NEW GOVERNOR ORDER HE IS BEGINNING TO WONDER IF THAT IS GOING TO ACTUALLY HAPPEN. HE SAID I HATE THAT IF WE GO BACK TO WORK AND WE HAVE TO SHUT BACK DOWN HE SAID THAT IS EVEN WORSE. HE SAID HE HAS BEEN OUT OF WORK SINCE THE SECOND WEEK OF MARCH.

HE GOT A LETTER, OF COURSE, THAT THE CARES ACT SUPPLEMENTAL UNEMPLOYMENT WILL RUN OUT ON THE 31ST UNLESS THEY DO SOMETHING FEDERALLY TO EXTEND ITER OR MODIFY IT OR -- TO EXTEND IT OR MODIFY IT OR SOMETHING.

BUT I DID NOT SEE THE GOVERNOR'S BRIEFING OR NEWS CONFERENCE TODAY. HOWEVER YOU WANT TO SAY IT.

BUT I KNOW PREVIOUSLY -- I WANT TO ASK ATTORNEY SMITH.

PREVIOUSLY THE GOVERNOR PUT IN THE LANGUAGE THAT MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES COULD NOT FORCE MASKS TO BE WORN. LIKE I SAY LIKE OTHER PEOPLE I THINK IT SHOULD BE OPTIONAL. I KNOW A FRIEND AND RELATIVES LIVE IN DOWN AROUND WACO AND CENTRAL TEXAS.

AND THEY SAID STARTING FRIDAY, THEIR BUSINESS ARE GOING TO REQUIRE MASKS. I SAID WELL, I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU CAN DO THAT IF THE GOVERNOR ORDER SPECIFICALLY SAID PREVIOUSLY MUNICIPALITIES OR COUNTIES CANNOT PUT IN THAT ORDER. I KNOW IN THE CONVERSATION AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS, IT SAID THAT IT MAY CHANGE.

I JUST THOUGHT I'D ASK WHILE I'M STANDING UP HERE FOR MR. SMITH'S OPINION. IS THAT STILL IN EFFECT THAT THE ORDER WHERE IT BARS THE COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES FROM REQUIRING MASKS? I SAY IT'S YOUR CHOICE IF YOU WANT TO WEAR ONE. I TOLD LOTS OF FRIENDS I SAID LAS VEGAS, PHOENIX, YOU ARE GOING TO WEAR A MASK WHEN IT'S 122 IN AUGUST OR SOMETHING? WHEN YOU CAN SEE THE MIRAGE COMING OFF THE PAVEMENT? MY FRIEND WENT TO LAS VEGAS YEARS AGO AND HE SAID 10:00, 11:00 AT NIGHT IT SAYS 104 OR 105 WHEN YOU DRIVE BY A BANK OR SOMETHING.

ARE YOU STILL GOING TO WEAR A MASK? THERE WAS AN ISSUE JUST ON SOCIAL MEDIA SAYING WELL, IF RESTAURANTS REQUIRE MASKS, HOW ARE PEOPLE GOING TO EAT? THEY ARE GOING TO TAKE THEM OFF FOR A FEW SECONDS TO EAT AND PUT IT BACK ON? ANYWAY, I JUST WANT TO SEE IF HE CAN ENLIGHTEN US ON THAT. I SAY IT'S A PERSONAL CHOICE JUST DON'T FORCE IT ON US. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COUNCIL.

>> OF COURSE -- >> WANT ME TO ANSWER THAT,

MAYOR? >> I THINK THE GOVERNOR INITIALLY DID DISALLOW MUNICIPALITIES AND COUNTIES TO HAVE A SAY SO IN REGARDS TO MASKS.

IN HIS WISDOM, I THINK HE REALIZED IT MAY NOT BE THE BEST TO GOVERN MUNICIPALITIES AND THE COUNTIES FROM GOVERNOR'S MANSION RATHER THAN ALLOWING LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO HAVE A SAY SO. SO RECENTLY HE HAS ALLOWED MUNICIPALITIES AND COUNTIES TO HAVE A SAY SO.

SO WE WILL HAVE A SAY SO. COUNTY JUDGE AND I WILL MEET TOMORROW AND WE'LL HAVE SUBSEQUENT CONVERSATIONS.

WE ARE STILL IN THE PUBLIC HEARING.

IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST ITEM? GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

>> I'M DEBRA WILLIAMS. I WAS JUST A BIT BAFFLED BY WHAT I JUST HEARD. I WORK IN THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT. YES, I WEAR A MASK.

I WEAR A MASK FOR SEVERAL REASONS.

I WEAR IT TO PROTECT YOU GUYS. I WEAR IT TO PROTECT ME.

WITHOUT MY MASK, IF EITHER ONE OF YOU SITTING UP HERE COUGH WITHOUT MY MASK AND YOU HAVE COVID, I CAN BE INFECTED BY

[00:40:02]

IT. ME WITHOUT A MASK, IF I COUGH, THOSE PARTICLES WILL SPREAD. AND ONE OF YOU WILL BE INFECTED WITH COVID. THAT IS A 100% GUARANTEE WITHOUT MY MASK. SO I WEAR IT AS PROTECTION FOR ME, FROM THE PUBLIC AND FROM THE PUBLIC TO ME.

BECAUSE OF NOT ONLY MY HEALTH CONDITIONS BUT BECAUSE IT'S JUST A SMART THING TO DO. I'M NOT EMBARRASSED ABOUT IT.

AND I UNDERSTAND YES, EVERYBODY IS NOT WEARING IT.

EVERYBODY DOES NOT HAVE TO WEAR IT.

BUT I DO. NOT ONLY AS A MEDICAL PERSON BUT AS A MOM, AS A GRANDMOTHER, AS A MEEMAW, AS A FRIEND, AS A NEIGHBORHOOD, AS A STRANGER.

I'M GOING TO WEAR MY MASK TO PROTECT YOU GUYS AND YOU GUYS.

AND I HOPE YOU WILL WEAR IT TO PROTECT ME AND OTHERS.

WHEN WE ARE IN A CLOSED ENVIRONMENT LIKE THIS IN LARGE GATHERING BECAUSE IT IS ONLY THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

IN YOUR HOME OR YOUR CAR, THAT IS FINE.

IF YOU RUN IN AND OUT OF THE STORE, THAT'S FINE.

BUT YES, DON'T EVER TELL SOMEONE DO NOT WEAR YOUR MASK.

AND DON'T DEGRADE IT IN ANY TYPE OF FASHION.

IT IS A LIFESAVER. I DON'T CARE IF IT'S A $2 MASK OR $5 OR A $30 MASK. I DON'T CARE IF IT'S A MASK MADE IN CHINA WITH THE LITTLE IMPRINTS OR THE N95 MASK.

IT IS STILL A PROTECTIVE DEVICE.

AS SMALL AS IT IS, FROM YOU TO ME, FROM ME TO YOU.

THOSE COUGHS, PARTICLES, YES, THEY SPREAD.

AND OUTDOORS IN THE WIND, THEY SPREAD EVEN FURTHER DISTANCE.

WHY WOULD YOU TAKE THE CHANCE OF INFECTING SOMEBODY? BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT TO WEAR A $2 MASK.

THAT IS MY THOUGHTS. >> THANK YOU, MS. WILLIAMS. WE ARE STILL IN THE PUBLIC HEARING.

ANYBODY ELSE? GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

>> HELLO. HOW ARE YOU? I'M NICHOLAS MOSES. I DON'T HAVE A STATEMENT.

I HAVE A QUESTION. IS IT THE COUNCILMEMBER WELDON, IS IT YOUR MIND SET THAT PROFITS ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN PUBLIC HEALTH? THAT IS A QUESTION I HAVE TO

ASK. >> OF COURSE, I THINK I CHOOSE TO WEAR A MASK. SOME MAY NOT.

I THINK EACH ONE OF TO US MAKE THAT DECISION.

ONE THING WE WANT TO DO IS WE WANT A PRODUCTIVE DIALOGUE ON THIS. I THINK WHAT YOU SAID, YOU CAN SPEAK FOR YOURSELF, WELDON. WE MAY DIFFER IN SOME THINGS.

WE HAVE MEMBERS, THREE OF US HAVE OUR MASKS NOW THAT AFTER THIS MEETING WE WILL PUT OUR MASKS BACK ON AND SOME WILL NOT. I THINK THE COMMUNITY, WE GET E-MAIL FROM BOTH SIDES. THE SO THE COMMUNITY EQUALLY HAS DISAGREEMENT INS THAT REGARDS.

MORE COMMENTS? YOU CAN SPEAK.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO ANSWER IT. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH PROFITS. IT HAS TO DO WITH RIGHTS.

>> I'M WANDA WEBBS. I'M LIKE SISTER DEBRA.

I'M CONFUSED AND I THINK THAT IS THE PROBLEM.

DR. FAUCI IS TELLING TO US DO ONE THING AND THE OTHER LEADERS ARE TELLING US TO DO SOMETHING ELSE.

I AGREE, WE HAVE A RIGHT TO WEAR MASKS BUT I THINK IT'S WRONG TO MAKE IT SEEM LIKE THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH US WEARING MASKS. LIKE SHE SAID IF YOU LOOK AT THE STORY IN CALIFORNIA, WHERE PEOPLE WASHED THEIR HANDS, WENT TO CHOIR REHEARSAL, THEY SOCIAL DISTANCED BUT WHEN THEY WERE SINGING THE SALIVA TRAVELED AND A LOT OF THE CHOIR MEMBERS AT THE CHURCH GOT SICK.

IN OKLAHOMA, JUST THE OTHER DAY, WHEN TRUMP DID HIS RALLY, PEOPLE GOT SICK BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T WEAR MASKS.

SO IF MASKS IS NOT TO PROTECT US, WHY WOULD THE PRESIDENT HAVE SOMEONE SIGN A WAIVER SAYING YOU CAN'T SUE FOR COVID IF THERE IS NO POSSIBLE WAY TO GET IT IF YOU'RE NOT WEARING A MASK? I THINK THE PROBLEM IS SOMEBODY NEEDS TO GET ON THE RIGHT PAGE.

PEOPLE ARE DYING. 100,000 PEOPLE AIN'T DIED JUST BECAUSE. SOMEBODY NEEDS TO GET ON THE SAME PAGE. EITHER THE MASK PROSPECT US OR THEY NOT. SOMETHING NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

WE ARE GETTING MIXED MESSAGES. THAT IS WHY THE NUMBERS ARE RISING. WHEN WE OPEN THINGS BACK UP, PEOPLE RELAX. AND THESE NUMBERS ARE COMING UP. IT'S AS A LEADER YOU DO HAVE A CHOICE. BUT WHEN YOU SEE OTHER PEOPLE, WHEN PEOPLE SEE YOU OUT WITHOUT A MASK AND THEN YOU TURN BACK AND SAY THAT THEIR RESPONSE IS GOING TO BE WHY SHOULD I WEAR ONE WHEN OUR LEADERS ARE NOT WEARING ONE?

>> STILL IN THE PUBLIC HEARING.

YOU WANT TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? SEEING NO ONE, I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

SO, COVID-19 WILL BE AN UNWELCOME GUEST UNTIL THERE IS

[00:45:02]

A VACCINE OR ANOTHER CURE. THERE WILL BE OTHER EBBS AND FLOWS. WE WILL CONTINUE TO GARNER MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS SERIOUS VIRUS.

AND SO, WE WILL BE -- WE HAVE TRIED TO BE SURE WE COMMUNICATED WELL WITH YOU. AND TRY TO MAKE GOOD DECISIONS. SO WE WILL HAVE SEVERAL MEETINGS IN NEXT FEW WEEKS. WE WILL MONITOR THE NUMBERS.

THE NUMBERS HAVE RISEN BUT WE HAVE DONE BETTER THAN MOST.

THE STATS AND THE DATA SAYS THAT MORE WILL LOSE THEIR LIVES. IT WILL BE MORE INFECTIONS WITH REGARD TO COVID-19. THERE ARE FOUR IN THE HOSPITAL NOW. I WAS SPEAKING TO THE MAYOR OF MIDLAND. THEY HAVE 29 IN THE HOSPITAL.

THIS WAS YESTERDAY. 16 ARE IN I.C.U.

FOUR ARE ON RESPIRATORS. SO I WANT TO CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR OUR NEIGHBORS. A LOT OF COMMUNICATION OCCURRED ABOUT OUR REPORTING, COVID-19 REPORTING.

ABILENE, TEXAS, THERE IS NOT A COMMUNITY WEST OF I-35 THAT DOES A BETTER JOB REPORTING COVID-19 THAN ABILENE, TEXAS.

EVERY DAY AROUND 12:00 NOON, GIVE OR TAKE A HALF HOUR OR SO, WE PRESENT INFORMATION TO YOU.

NOT JUST PRESENT INFORMATION BUT WE PROVIDE DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION. SOME OF THE COMMUNITIES LISTED HERE REPORT ONCE A WEEK OR ONCE EVERY OTHER DAY OR 7:00 OR 8:00. SO WE WANT YOU TO BE INFORMED.

I HOPE YOU APPRECIATE THAT EFFORT.

ANY QUESTIONS OF COUNCIL? I'LL ACCEPT A MOTION AND A SECOND. IF THERE IS NO MORE COMMENTS.

>> I'D LIKE TO SAY I DON'T THINK COUNCILMAN HURT WAS GOING AFTER ANYBODY FOR WEARING A MASK.

I THINK WHAT COUNCILMAN HURT SAID IS IF YOU WANT TO WEAR A MASK AND YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE WEARING A MASK, WEAR A MASK.

IF YOU DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE WEARING A MASK, DON'T WEAR A MASK. THAT IS KIND OF WHAT I WAS SAYING I FEEL LIKE WE DON'T NEED TO GET IN THAT BATTLE.

IF YOU THINK IT'S BEST FOR YOU, WEAR A MASK.

BUT IF YOU DON'T, DON'T WEAR A MASK.

BUT LET'S NOT GO AFTER EACH OTHER.

I DON'T THINK COUNCILMAN HURT WENT AFTER ANYBODY FOR THAT.

>> IS THAT A MOTION? >> YES.

>> SECOND? >> YES.

>> COUNCILMAN RENTZ. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? WE'RE CLOSED, MOSES. WE'LL HAVE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. I LOVE SENIOR CITIZENS ADVISORY BOARD -- I LOVE CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT.

WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. FROM THE COUNCIL, ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? IF NOT, WE'RE READY TO VOTE.

>> MAYOR PRO TEM HURT? >> NO.

>> DEPUTY MAYOR PRO TEM ALBUS? >> YES.

>> COUNCILMEMBER PRICE? >> YES.

>> COUNCILMEMBER RENTZ? >> YES.

>> COUNCILMEMBER MCALISTER? >> YES.

[13. Resolution: Receive a Report, Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Possible Action to Extend the Temporary Suspension of the Residential and Commercial Street Maintenance Fee During the COVID-19 Pandemic or Allow the Temporary Suspension to Expire (Greg .llccafferp)]

>> COUNCILMEMBER CRAVER? >> YES.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS? >> YES.

>> ITEM PASSES. >> SOME OF YOU ARE NEW TO THE COUNCIL CHIM BERS. IN A BIT WE WILL HAVE A PUBLIC COMMENT AND YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES TO ANYTHING YOU WANT TO SAY. I ASK YOU TO BE COURTEOUS WHEN

YOU SAY IT. >> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND THE CITY COUNCIL. YOU HAVE DECIDED BEFORE YOU AS YOU WILL RECALL AT THE APRIL 23RD MEETING, YOU HAD PLACED A SUSPENSION ON THE CITY STREET MAINTENANCE FEE.

FOR A PERIOD OF TWO MONTHS. SO THAT HAS SINCE OCCURRED.

SO THIS IS BEFORE YOU TO VISIT AND RE-EVALUATE FURTHER.

IF YOU HAVE A DESIRE AS FAR AS TO CONTINUE AS FAR AS WITH THE SUSPENSION OR ALLOW THIS SUSPENSION TO DECEASE AS FAR AS GOING FORWARD. IN SUMMARY, IT BASICALLY HAS RESULTED AS FAR AS IN $450,000 PER MONTH ON THE RESIDENTIAL AND THE CUSTOMER BASE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.

SO, WE COLLECT ABOUT $450,000 THROUGH THIS PROGRAM.

STAFF HAS SEEN ECONOMIC CONDITIONS AS FAR AS IMPROVE WITHIN THE STATE OF TEXAS, AS WELL AS WITHIN THE CITY OF ABILENE. I REALIZE THAT THERE ARE SOME SPIKES OCCURRING. I FULLY AGREE, THAT IS GOING TO CONTINUE WITH ANY KIND OF UNFORTUNATELY PANDEMIC OR VIRUS. STAFF IS RECOMMENDING AS FAR AS COUNCIL CONSIDERS AS FAR AS EXPIRING AS FAR AS THIS.

WE WOULD BE OPEN TO ANY DIRECTION COUNCIL ADVISES.

>> WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE MONTHLY?

>> SO MONTHLY, IT'S APPROXIMATELY AS FAR AS $450,000. WE GENERATE THROUGH THE STREET

[00:50:01]

MAINTENANCE FEE $6.5 MILLION. SO WHERE WE ARE AT RIGHT NOW IS WE HAVE ABOUT $800,000 OF PROJECTS THAT WE INITIALLY HAD PLANNED FOR 2021. WE WILL PARE BACK THE STREET IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT BASED ON THE FUNDS THAT WE HAVE

AVAILABLE TO WORK WITH. >> COUNCIL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?

>> IS THAT $467,000, WASN'T THAT FOR TWO MONTHS?

>> RIGHT. CORRECT.

>> SO IT'S $230,000. >> YOU ADD THE TWO NUMBERS

TOGETHER. >> ADD IT TOGETHER.

IT'S ALMOST THAT. RIGHT.

>> I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE SEE A LOT OF THE WORK THAT IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW. I KNOW THERE IS SOMEONE ON BUTTERNUT AND WE HAVE SOME DOWNTOWN.

BUT THAT WAS MONEY SET ASIDE EARLIER.

IF WE CONTINUE TO WAIVE THE FEE THERE WILL COME A TIME IN THE FUTURE WHERE PROJECTS WILL CEASE.

IS THAT CORRECT? >> RIGHT.

THERE IS A NUMBER OF, WE HAVE TWO FUNDING SOURCES NOW THROUGH THE STREET MAINTENANCE FEE.

WE GET $2 MILLION FROM THE D.C. AWAY.

SO THOSE PROJECTS WILL LOOK TO CONTINUE WITH THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THOSE IN 2021. THERE ARE OTHER PROJECTS FUNDED THROUGH THE STREET MAINTENANCE FEE.

WE WOULD LOOK AND WOULD HAVE PARE IT BACK.

THE PROJECT WAS IF YOU RECALL WORK ZONES THAT WE TRY TO DO REVISITATION TO A NUMBER OF THE RESIDENTIAL STREETS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY AND PACKAGE THOSE TOGETHER MORE IN A SUBDIVISION ENVIRONMENT. WE WOULD BE LOOKING AT PULLING

SOME OF THOSE PROJECTS OUT. >> AS BUDGETED, GREG, I WANT TO SAY THAT PRICE IS CHAIR OF THE PLANNING ORGANIZATION.

WE LOOK AT ALL THE RESOURCES, THE 15 G.O., THE MONEY FROM THE TXDOT AND MONEY FOR OURSELVES THIS YEAR WE MAKE INVESTMENTS OF $30 MILLION. OVER FIVE-YEAR SPAN IT'S $85 MILLION. NO SIGNIFICANT WORK.

THIS WAS INTERRUPTION OF THAT. BUT WE WANT TO CONTINUE THE PROGRAMS. I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR WHAT YOU SAY COUNCIL. THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING.

ALSO, SEE WHAT YOU SAY, CITIZENS.

>> WELL, I WAS JUST GOING TO POINT OUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS BUILT IN TO THIS AS WE SEE THE ECONOMY RECOVER LOCALLY, NOT EVERYONE IS BENEFITING FROM THAT.

BUT WITHIN THE ORDINANCE THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR FEE REDUCTION FOR THOSE WHO ARE STILL STRUGGLING.

SO THERE IS THAT PATH EVEN IF WE CHOOSE TO RENEW IT OR NOT ALLOW IT TO, I GUESS ALLOW SUSPENSION TO EXPIRE.

IF THIS IS WHAT WE ARE DOING. THAT OPPORTUNITY IS THERE FOR PEOPLE THAT NEED TO STILL RECEIVE ASSISTANCE IN COVERING

THIS FEE. >> THAT IS LOW MONITOR INCOME OPPORTUNITY AND YOU CAN APPLY FOR THE FREE REDUCTION AT THE OFFICE OF NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES.

>> FOR THE QUESTION OF THE COUNCIL, PRIOR TO THE PUBLIC

HEARING? >> I DRIVE NORTHWEST ABILENE ONCE A WEEK ON A MEALS ON WHEELS ROUTE SO I HAVE SEEN CONSTRUCTION. THEY ARE DOING IT PRETTY FAST.

BIG DIFFERENCE IN ONE WEEK TO THE NEXT.

THEY ARE DOING A REALLY GOOD JOB.

THERE IS RACETRACKS UP THERE NOW COMPARED TO WHAT --

>> WE'RE HAPPY WITH THE VOLUME OF WORK.

>> AND THE INTERSECTION WHERE YOU PUT 8 TO 10 INCHES OF CONCRETE, I THINK EVERYTHING WE ARE DOING IS GOOD.

THE CONTRACTORS ARE DOING A GOOD JOB.

I HEAR THAT FROM PEOPLE. THEY LIKE IT.

>> GOOD. I'LL PASS IT ON TO STAFF AND

THE CONTRACTORS. >> COUNCILMAN MCALISTER?

>> I HAVE SEEN YOU DRIVE. EVERY ROAD IS A RACETRACK.

MR. HANNA, TO PERHAPS COUNTER INFORMATION THAT IS FLOATING AROUND WHAT IS THE AVERAGE CITIZEN PAY PER MONTH FOR THIS? THE STREET MAINTENANCE FEE.

WHAT DOES THE AVERAGE CITIZEN PAY?

>> $6.50. $6.75.

>> THAT IS RESIDENTIAL? >> BUSINESSES START AT $25 TO $775 BASED OFF THE TRAFFIC IMPACT.

>> QUESTIONS FROM COUNCIL PRIOR TO THE PUBLIC HEARING?

>> I MAY SAY SO THE EXEMPTION OR THE FEE REDUCTION THAT COUNCILMAN PRICE MENTIONED WOULD LOWER THE $5 TO $1.75 IF THEY QUALIFY FROM THE INCOME STANDS POINT.

THEY HAVE TO GO TO THE OFFICE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES.

WE HAVE A FORM AND THEY HAVE TO VERIFY INCOME AND THOSE THINGS. SIMILAR TO WHAT YOU DEVELOP FOR THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT ASSISTANCE.

>> AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING.

IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? IF SO, PLEASE COME FORWARD AND

GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. >> I'VE GOT A CARD FOR

MR. SWART. >> MR. SCHWARTZ.

WE'LL TAKE ANYBODY AND EVERYBODY ELSE.

[00:55:01]

THREE-MINUTE TIME LIMIT ON ALL COMMENTS ON THIS ITEM.

>> DAVID SCHWARTZ. THANK YOU, AGAIN.

THE PROBLEM IS LIKE ORIGINALLY WHEN WE HAD ALL THE MEETINGS IT WAS LIKE 18 OR 20 I BELIEVE, IN 2017.

THAT ORIGINALLY PROPOSED TO TAKE A EIGHTH OF A CENT OFF THE SALES TAX ISSUED TO THE DCOA.

JUST TAKE THAT OFF. WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO BE $2.5 MILLION. IF YOU GO BACK AND LOOK AT WHAT WE ARE DOING NOW, THE DCOA HAS COMMITTED $2 MILLION IN THREE YEARS IF I'M CORRECT. AND THE LAST TWO ARE $1.5 MILLION. I SAID AT SEVERAL OF THE MEETINGS THE WE SHOULD TAKE THE OTHER HALF CENT AND USE UP TO A FOURTH OF IT. THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN $7.5 MILLION ALTOGETHER. THAT IS LOOKING PRETTY GOOD RIGHT NOW WITH STILL PEOPLE OUT OF WORK LIKE EARLIER IN THE PREVIOUS CONVERSATIONS. 10,000ABILENEANS STILL OUT OF WORK. IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE MUCH.

BUT AS COUNCILMAN HURT SAID THERE ARE MOM AND POP BUSINESSES THAT ARE BARELY MAKING IT.

EVERY MONTH YOU OPEN AND IT SAYS, "MUNICIPAL STATEMENT" INSTEAD OF "WATER BILL." THERE IS A CHARGE.

I UNDERSTAND WITH WE HAVE TO FIX THE STREETS BUT SOMETIMES IN THE FUTURE, THIS IS SUPPOSED TO SUNSET BUT IT IS EASY TO SEE SOMETHING THAT DOESN'T SUNSET.

YOU DIDN'T MENTION IN THE BEGINNING, MR. MCCAFFERY DIDN'T, I BELIEVE IN THE GENERAL BUDGET IT'S $1.1 MILLION. IT'S ALL PUT IN THE STREET MAINTENANCE, THE CHECKBOOK FUND YOU WOULD SAY.

AT THE END, YOU THINK ABOUT IT.

WE HAVE TO GET THE STREETS FIXED.

THIS WAS A GOOD AFTER AT THE TIME.

BUT IT BARELY PASSED IN A VOTER APPROVAL.

THERE WAS ONLY 8,000-SOMETHING VOTERS THAT VOTED.

IT JUST BARELY PASSED. GOING BACK TO PREVIOUSLY ABOUT THE STREETS AND EVERYTHING, ON NORTH 6TH LIKE I MENTIONED BEFORE AT THE LAST MEETING, RIGHT THERE AT THE 6TH AND SHELTON THE FIELD HOUSE, WHOEVER THE CONTRACTOR WAS DID A GREAT JOB. THERE IS NO SLOWING DOWN.

YOU CAN MAINTAIN 30 MILES PER HOUR AND EVERYTHING.

GOING UP. I DON'T KNOW WHICH CONTRACTOR DID 3RD AND SHELDON AND 3RD AND BERGER BUT YOU CAN LOOK AT THE STREET. IT HAS BIG GOUGES RIGHT THERE, BECAUSE IT'S HUMPED UP THERE. IT SLAMS YOU DOWN.

IT'S KNOCKING BIG CHUNKS AND RUTS IN IT.

EVENTUALLY IT IS MR. MCCAFFERY SAID, THE WATER WILL GET DOWN TO THE BASE.

AND DAMAGE IT. I WISH SOMEBODY WOULD REVISIT THAT AND SEE WHAT THEY COULD DO ABOUT THAT.

SEE IF THEY COULD MAKE IT. NORTH 3RD IS NOTHING LIKE THE NORTH 6TH AND SHELTON. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COUNCIL.

>> THANK YOU. THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING.

ANYBODY ELSE WANT TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? SEEING NO ONE, I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

COUNCIL HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

>> MY QUESTION IS STANLEY, WHAT IS IN THE PACKET IS A COPY OF THE OLD RESOLUTION. DO WE HAVE TO TAKE ANY ACTION

TO ALLOW IT TO EXPIRE? >> NO.

IF THE COUNCIL DESIRES FOR IT TO EXPIRE WE DON'T DO

ANYTHING. >> OKAY.

>> I'M SORRY. THERE IS A DELAY DOWNSTAIRS ON THE TV. SO CAN I JUST SPEAK IN REGARD TO THIS? THE TV YOU HAVE DOWNSTAIRS,

THERE IS A DELAY. >> IN OUR NEW RULES, CAN WE REOPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING BY A MOTION? HOW DOES THE MECHANICS WORK ON THAT?

>> IF YOU WANT TO OPEN THE -- >> WE'LL REOPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ALLOW YOU TO SPEAK.

>> THANK YOU. >> GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE

RECORD. >> THERE IS A DELAY.

I'M NOT SURE HOW TO FIX THAT. CYNTHIA ALVIDRAS.

SO, I'M SO SORRY, GUYS. STREET MAINTENANCE TAX.

THE REASON THAT IS SO CONCERNING FOR ME IS BECAUSE A LOT OF THE AREAS THAT HAVE FALLEN BY THE WAYSIDE ARE LOCATED IN WHAT IS CALLED "TAX INCREMENT REINVESTMENT LOAN," OR T.I.R.S. THERE IS MONEY SET ASIDE TO BRING UP THE AREA. I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.

IS THE MONEY USED TO FIX THE STREETS DOWNTOWN AND ON AMBLER

[01:00:03]

IS THAT COMING OUT OUR BUDGET OR COMING OUT OF THE T.I.R.S? FUNDS? I CAN'T BREATHE WITH THIS ON. I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE EXPLAINED TO THE PUBLIC.

THAT INFORMATION ISN'T ACCESSIBLE TO US.

SO AGAIN, FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT DON'T KNOW, THESE MONIES ARE PUT IN TO A FUND. IT'S MILLIONS UPON MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT IS SUPPOSED TO FIX STREETS, GO TO INFRASTRUCTURE PURPOSES. SO YOU HAVE STREETS IN THESE AREAS FALLING APART. SO JUST A LITTLE TIDBIT OF THAT. UNEMPLOYMENT RATES IN ABILENE TEXAS SKYROCKETED DUE TO EFFECTS OF THE COVID-19.

ABILENE IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING RATES THAT WE HAVEN'T SEEN SINCE THE RECESSION THAT LASTED FROM DECEMBER OF 2007 TO JUNE OF 2009.

COVID CASES ARE INCREASING AS YOU FOUND OUT ON A DAILY BASIS. THE LIKELIHOOD OF A SHUTDOWN IS IMMINENT. THE STREET MAINTENANCE TAX WAS SUSPENDED ON APRIL 23, 2020, FOR THE MONTHS OF MAY AND JUNE OF 2020. THIS SUSPENSION SAVED TAXPAYERS A TOTAL OF $894,474. WHEN TAKING IN TO CONSIDERATION THE INCREASE, THE LOCAL UNEMPLOYMENT RATE, OF THE LOCAL UNEMPLOYMENT RATE, THE SPIKE IN COVID-19 CASES AND THE PROBABILITY OF A SHUTDOWN IN THE NEAR FUTURE, IT WOULD BEHOOVE THE CITY COUNCIL TO COME -- TO CONTINUE THE SUSPENSION OF THE STREET MAINTENANCE TAX.

I MEAN TO DISCONTINUE, CONTINUE WITH THE SUSPENSION OF THE STREET MAINTENANCE TAX. MY RECOMMENDATION IS RETIRE THE TAX INDEFINITELY. IT'S ON Y'ALL CAN'T DO WHAT THE -- MAYBE NOT Y'ALL. MAYBE COUNCILS BEFORE.

BUT WE ARE GETTING A TAX ON TOP OF A TAX.

Y'ALL ALREADY TAXED AND Y'ALL COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO WITH THE MONEY AND NOW WE ARE TAXED THROUGH A STREET MAINTENANCE TAX. THAT IS NOT FAIR.

IN THE EVENT THIS IS NOT AN OPTION I RECOMMEND THE COUNCIL CONSIDER A SIX-MONTH SUSPENSION.

THAT WILL GIVE RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS OWNERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS.

WE HAVE SCHOOL THAT IS COMING. WE ARE GOING TO NEED -- WE HAVE KIDS THAT WILL NEED CLOTHES.

YOU HAVE THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS.

WE ALL KNOW -- I DON'T KNOW Y'ALL KNOW THE POVERTY RATE ARE 17.76%. IT IS GOING TO RISE.

YEAH. THAT IS IT.

THANK YOU. >> ANYONE ELSE WANT TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. DOES COUNCIL HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS AND/OR COMMENTS ON THIS AGENDA ITEM?

>> MAYOR, IF I MAY SAY THE TAX INCREMENT REINVESTMENT ZONES ESTABLISHED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IN 2014 DO NOT CONTAIN MILLIONS AND MANY MILLIONS THAT CAN BE SPENT ON STREET MAINTENANCE. THE STREET MAINTENANCE FEE WAS SET UP BECAUSE WE DID NOT HAVE ADEQUATE FUNDING TO REPAIR OUR STREETS. THERE IS ONLY WAY TO DO THAT.

WE HAVE TO SPEND MORE MONEY ON IT.

SO WE COULD HAVE REDUCED SERVICES SUBSTANTIALLY OR WE COULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING CREATIVE.

THIS COUNCIL HAD MULTIPLE PUBLIC SESSIONS AND PUBLIC HEARINGS. WE HAD 30 PUBLIC MEETINGS ON THIS TOPIC. IT DID GO TO THE VOTERS.

I AGREE WITH MR. SCHWARTZ. IT WAS APPROVED BUT IT WASN'T A RESOUNDING MAJORITY BY ANY STRETCH OF THE IMAGINATION.

THIS COUNCIL CHOSE TO DO SOMETHING BOLD.

TO ADDRESS OUR PUBLIC STREETS. I THINK THE PROGRAM IS WORKING. WHETHER OR NOT WE DELAY THE FEE OR NOT AS AN ECONOMIC DECISION THIS COUNCIL GETS TO MAKE. I CERTAINLY WILL RESPECT WHATEVER DECISION YOU GUYS DECIDE TO DO.

BUT I THINK IT'S A GOOD PROGRAM.

I THINK IS IT A CREATIVE WAY TO ADDRESS A REAL ISSUE IN THE COMMUNITY, WHICH IS OUR STREETS.

>> I APPRECIATE YOU PROVIDING ACCURACY.

THIS WAS PUT BEFORE THE VOTERS AFTER THREE DOZEN MEETINGS, ITERATIONS TO ALLOW THE VOTERS TO WEIGH IN.

I THINK THROUGH THE PROCESS WHAT WAS COMMUNICATED IS FOR THREE DECADES INADEQUATE JOB WAS DONE IN REGARD TO THE STREETS. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THIS AND A TAX IS THAT TRADITIONALLY MUNICIPALITIES GO OUT WITH A BOND. THAT IS G.O.S.

THEY GO AND THE VOTERS GO THUMBS UP AND THUMBS DOWN.

THEY VOTE FOR IT AND THEN THE CITY, THE MUNICIPALITY ISSUED DEBT. THEN FOR 20, 25, 30 YEARS IT'S SET ASIDE WITH INTEREST. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THIS TAX OR A TAX AND A FEE IS THE FEE HAS NO INTEREST.

SO MORE OF YOUR DOLLARS IS ISSUED FOR THE STREETS.

WHAT HAS BEEN DISPLAYED IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS, THE REASON WHY THIS IS NOT A TAX, IF THE IT WAS A TAX, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN LEVIED AND WE WOULD HAVE HAD NO RECOURSE WITH REGARD TO PAY FOR THAT. IT WOULD BE EMBEDDED IN THE TAX RATE. WITH THE FEE, YOU CAN TAP THE

[01:05:03]

BRAKES AT ANY TIME AND BRAKES WERE TAPPED.

A FEE DIFFERS BECAUSE EVERY YEAR DURING THE BUDGET WORKSHOP, WE CAN SAY YEA, OR NAY TO CONTINUE THAT FEE.

AND/OR REDUCE OR INCREASE. IT DELIVERS THE SAME THING.

THAT IS PROVIDING FUNDS. BUT IT'S VERY, VERY SPECIFIC DIFFERENCES. TO BE SURE THAT THERE IS CLARITY AND NO MISLEADING REGARDING THE FACTS.

ANY MORE QUESTIONS OF THE COUNCIL?

>> AND WITH THAT $6.75 A MONTH, BETWEEN NOW AND THE END OF THE MONTH IT WOULD COST THE AVERAGE HOMEOWNER $40.

NOT EVERYONE BUT LION'S SHARE OF THE PEOPLE WHO TALK TO ME DON'T MIND TO SPEND $40 FROM NOW TO THE END OF THE YEAR TO CONTINUE TO IMPROVE THE STREETS.

>> ANY MORE COMMENTS? >> I HAVE BEEN CHALLENGED BY SEVERAL MOM-AND-POP OWNED BUSINESSES.

WHY DID WE DO THIS? I SAID BECAUSE WE WANTED TO BE SENSITIVE TO YOUR CHALLENGES. THEY ARE LIKE WE NEED OUR STREETS REPAIRED. PLEASE LEVY ROADS.

SO THERE IS CERTAINLY OPINIONS ON BOTH SIDES.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT VOTE PASSED BY A 60%.

I MEAN, YOU CAN CALL THAT CLOSE BUT THAT IS A PRETTY GOOD MAJORITY. ALSO, MAYOR, A FEE JUST LIKE YOU SAID, THAT MEANS THAT THAT FEE COLLECTED CAN ONLY BE USED FOR STREET MAINTENANCE. IT CAN'T BE PUT IN THE GENERAL FUND. IT CAN ONLY BE USED FOR STREET

MAINTENANCE. >> ADDITIONALLY, JUST FOR CLARITY, I THINK IT WAS COUNCILMAN HURT WHO PROPOSED A SEPARATE BODY OF CITIZENS ON THE NORTHSIDE, ON THE SOUTH SIDE, A CHAIRPERSON TO HELP WORK WITH THE STAFF AND GUIDE DECISION-MAKING REGARDS TO WHAT STREETS WILL BE USED.

THE PUBLIC HEARINGS AND THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC TO ENGAGE IN THAT. BECAUSE WE WANT TO CREATE AN OPPORTUNITY WHERE YOU WOULD BE HEARD.

SO, THAT IS ALWAYS NICE TO BE ABLE TO PRESENT THE FACTS IN AN ACCURATE WAY. ANY MORE COMMENTS FROM THE

COUNCIL? >> YES.

I WANT TO ADDRESS ONE OTHER ISSUE BROUGHT UP.

THAT IS THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY.

IF YOU GO TO ABILENETX.GOV AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE AND QUICK LINKS, STREET PROJECTS. YOU CAN GO AND YOU CAN SEE EVERY PROJECT THAT IS BEING DONE.

SHE MENTIONED THE DOWNTOWN STREETS.

2015 BOND MONEY APPROVED BY VOTERS IN 2015.

AMBLEER PROJECT THAT WAS DONE IN 2015 BOND MONEY.

THE WORK DONE RIGHT NOW ON AMBLER THAT IS EAST OF TREADWAY IS A TXDOT PROJECT. NOT CITY FUNDING.

IT'S STATE FUNDING. BUT YOU CAN SEE DETAILS ON THE PROJECT, HAS MAPS AND TELLS YOU WHERE THE FUNDING COMES FROM. IT'S ALL ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE. THAT INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE EASILY FOR ANY CITIZEN THAT WANTS TO RESEARCH THAT.

>> ANY OTHER COMMENTS OF THE COUNCIL PRIOR TO THE VOTE?

THERE IS NOT A VOTE. >> THERE IS NOT A MOTION.

>> IS THERE A MOTION? >> LET IT EXPIRE.

>> IF WE DON'T HAVE ANY ACTION, THEN IT EXPIRES.

IS THAT CORRECT? >> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> ALL RIGHT. GO TO THE NEXT ITEM.

ITEM NUMBER 14. I MOVED ITEM 14 TO PROVIDE FOR

[14. Resolution: Receive a Report. Hold a Discussion and Public Hearing, and Take Action on Appointing Members to Various Boards and Commissions per the City Charter (Shaie’na Atkinson) • Abilene-Taylor County Child Advocacy Center Board • Senior Citizens Advisory Board]

REAPPOINTMENT TO INDIVIDUAL BOARDS AND COMMITTEES.

AS OUTLINED IN EXHIBIT "A" OF THE RESOLUTION.

AT THIS TIME, I WILL OPEN UP THE PUBLIC HEARING.

IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK EITHER FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? IF SO, PLEASE GIVE YOUR NAME

FOR THE RECORD. >> GOOD EVENING AGAIN.

MY NAME IS -- YOU HAD ME LIKE OH, MY GOSH, I SHOULD PUT MY MASK ON. I WANT TO SPEAK TO THE APPOINTMENTS FROM THE BOARDS. I AM THE VICE CHAIR OF THE CITIZEN ADVISORY BOARD FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

WE HAVE APPLICATIONS. WE HAVE APPLICANTS WHO POSTED THE APPLICATIONS BUT THEY HAVE TO BE APPROVED THROUGH CITY COUNCIL. IT HAS BEEN A DELAY.

SO WE HAVEN'T HAD BEFORE EVEN COVID WE WEREN'T ABLE TO KEEP -- SORRY, WE WERE NOT ABLE TO KEEP CERTAIN BOARD MEMBER APPOINTMENTS BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE ON THE BOARD TO HAVE A CAUCUS. SO I WANTED TO SAY IF YOU CAN HELP RELIEVE THE APPLICATIONS. WE ARE NOT ABLE TO HAVE A BOARD MEETING WITHOUT BOARD MEMBERS.

THAT IS ALL. >> SO, PUBLIC HEARING.

ANYONE ELSE WANT TO SPEAK TO THIS ITEM?

GIVE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. >> MY NAME IS DIMETRIUS

[01:10:02]

EARTHY, FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE JUNETEENTH PARTY.

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THESE BOARDS BUT THIS THRESHOLD INITIATIVE FOR THE CITIZEN REVIEW BOARD THAT THEY HAVE GOTTEN FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

I JUST WANT TO KNOW HOW THE INDIVIDUALS WERE SELECTED FOR

THIS. >> BECAUSE WE POSTED FOR THIS SPECIFIC BOARD, WE CAN'T HAVE CONVERSATION ABOUT THAT.

BUT WE CAN CHIEF RANDE AND YOU CAN HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT THAT. ANY MORE COMMENTS ABOUT ITEM NUMBER 14? SEEING NONE, I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. DOES COUNCIL HAVE QUESTIONS

ABOUT ITEM NUMBER 14. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

>> MOTION BY COUNCILMAN PRICE. >> SECOND.

>> SECOND BY COUNCILMAN CRAVER.

ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? READY TO VOTE.

>> PRO TEM HURT? >> YES.

>> DEPUTY PRO TEM ALBUS? >> YES.

>> COUNCILMEMBER PRICE? >> YES.

>> RENTZ? >> YES.

>> COUNCILMEMBER MCALISTER? >> YES.

>> COUNCILMEMBER CRAVER? >> YES.

>> MAYOR WILLIAMS? >> YES.

[PUBLIC COMMENTS]

>> MOTION CARRIES. >> WE NOW MOVE TO THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. THERE WILL BE NO VOTES OR ANY FORMAL ACTIONS TAKEN ON THE SUBJECTS PRESENTED IN PUBLIC COMMENT. THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD WILL ALLOW ONLY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO PRESENT IDEAS AND INFORMATION TO CITY OFFICIALS AND STAFF.

IS .THERE WILL BE A THREE-MINUTE TIME LIMIT ON ALL PUBLIC

COMMENTS. >> THANK YOU, COUNCIL.

DAVID SCHWARTZ ONCE AGAIN. I'M SURE ALONG THE WAY SOME OF MY COMMENTS ABOUT THE STREET MAINTENANCE STUFF, I KNOW WE NEED IT. I HAVE A FRIEND, A SINGLE MOM.

SHE DIDN'T TELL ME WHERE ON MAPLE STREET BUT SHE LOST TWO TIRES A COUPLE OF NIGHTS AGO. HAD TO HAVE HER VEHICLE FLAT BEDDED BACK TO HER RESIDENCE. THIS IS WITHIN THE LAST SIX MONTHS, THAT IS THE THIRD TIRE SHE HAS HAD DESTROYED.

PREVIOUSLY MR. PRICE AND I TALKED ABOUT IT WAS ON A STATE ROAD. WE TALKED ABOUT IT.

I DIDN'T GO LOOK ON MAPLE AND SHE DIDN'T RESPOND TO MY MESSAGE. I KNOW WE NEED TO KEEP TRYING TO WORK ON THE STREETS. WE ARE DOING THE BEST WE CAN, CONSIDERING UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF COVID WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE NOT WORKING. LIKE MY FRIEND, HE SAID MAYBE WE'LL START BACK TO WORK. WE MAY WORK A MONTH.

AND THEY MAY SHUT US DOWN AGAIN.

NOW WITH THE NEW STUFF THAT CAME UP WITH THE GOVERNOR TODAY I DON'T KNOW. I HAVEN'T TALKED TO HIM.

SO THEY MAY NOT OPEN BACK UP. BUT HE IS SUPPOSED TO GO TO WORK, I BELIEVE, NEXT WEDNESDAY.

BUT WE'LL SEE. IN GENERAL, I SAY THAT OUR PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR, I DON'T THINK HE HAS BEEN HERE QUITE A YEAR. HE IS DOING A GOOD JOB UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF WHAT HE WAS HANDED.

LIKE HE SAID ORIGINALLY LIKE FOR YEARS THE MAINTENANCE BUDGET WAS PRACTICALLY NOTHING.

I KNOW MY GRANDPA WORKED IN THE STREET DEPARTMENT IN THE '60S AND THE '70S. THEY DID A GOOD JOB BACK THEN.

HE WOULD FEEL REALLY TERRIBLE TO SEE HOW THE STREETS HAVE COME TO THE CONDITIONS THEY ARE IN.

I MEAN YOU JUST GO EVERYWHERE. IT'S LIKE A BOAT HAVING A HOLE. YOU PATCH THIS HOLE.

THEM YOU START LEAKING OVER HERE AND YOU PATCH THIS HOLE.

IT TAKES A LONG TIME TO MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE.

LIKE I SAID BEFORE PREVIOUSLY, WHEN THE GOVERNMENT DOES STUFF, THEY WILL SAY NEW ELECTED OFFICIAL, OH WE'RE GOING TO DO INFRASTRUCTURE REPAIR.

BRIDGES AND ROADS. IT TAKES YEARS USUALLY FOR GOVERNMENT BODIES TO ISSUE CONTRACTS FOR STUFF LIKE GOVERNMENT REPAIR WORDS AND STUFF LIKE.

WE ARE -- REPAIR ROADS AND STUFF THE LIKE.

WE ARE DOING OKAY JOB. PEOPLE GET CONFUSED ABOUT THE BOND MONIES PASSED BY VOTERS AND THE STREET MAINTENANCE FEE, WHICH WAS AN ADD-ON RECENTLY.

THE BOND WENT BACK TO 2015. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE LAST YEAR OF IT, THAT THE BOND ISSUES WILL BE TAKEN CARE OF.

THANK YOU, COUNCIL, THIS EVENING.

>> THANK YOU. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.

ANYBODY ELSE WANT TO SPEAK TONIGHT?

>> WE HAD A CARD FROM MISS DAVIS.

THERE SHE IS. >> THANK YOU.

>> I JUST WANT -- THIS IS SHARIA FORD DAVIS AGAIN.

I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT FRIDAY, SHANTE FLEMINGS WHO IS HERE, SHE HOSTED A JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION AT THE STEPHENSON PARK. AND WE HAD A GREAT TIME.

[01:15:03]

BUT AS IT GOT DARKER, NOT EVEN DARKER, THERE IS A CHAIN LINK FENCE THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A NET, WHICH CAUSED HER TO FALL AND OTHER CHILDREN TO FALL IN THAT AREA.

THERE WERE NO WORKING BATHROOMS. AFTER DARK THERE WERE NO LIGHTS, WHICH MEANT THEY COULDN'T SEE WHAT THEY WERE DOING.

AND THEN ONE OF THE OTHER ISSUES THAT I HEARD FRIDAY WHICH GRIPPED MY HEART WAS THAT A GENTLEMAN WHO OWNS LAND RIGHT ACROSS FROM STEPHENSON PARK.

HE SAYS I OWN THIS LAND, THIS LAND, THIS LAND BUT I CAN'T BUILD ON IT BECAUSE IT'S A FLOOD ZONE.

THAT IS SOMETHING I WISH WE CAN KIND OF ADDRESS TO SEE HOW THAT CAN BE RE -- LIKE, YOU KNOW, HOW CAN IT BE FIXED? THE OWNERS ARE LIKE WE WANT TO BUILD.

BUT WE CAN'T BECAUSE IT'S A FLOOD ZONE.

THAT IS WHAT I WANT TO SAY. THANK YOU.

>> WE CAN REPLY WITH INFORMATION?

IS THAT CORRECT? >> YES, SIR.

>> SO ANYTHING IN A FLOOD ZONE HAS THE FEMA JURISDICTION.

FEMA IS NOT ALLOWED NEW CONSTRUCTION.

IT ONLY ALLOWS A CERTAIN PERCENTILE OF CONSTRUCTION AND THAT SUPERSEDES LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES AND IT'S A FEDERAL STATUTE FOR CONSTRUCTION IN THAT AREA.

STILL IN PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD? ANYONE WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD? SEEING NO ONE, WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.

IT IS 6:47 P.M. AND THIS MEETING OF YOUR

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.